Panthers CB Jaycee Horn will miss 'extended time' with hamstring injury

Tough news emerged from the Carolina Panthers’ facility on Wednesday when head coach Frank Reich revealed cornerback Jaycee Horn will miss extended time.

Horn suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s Week 1 contest against division rival Atlanta, and while few long-term details are known, Coach Reich reports that the defensive back will have to miss an “extended” period of time.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news of Horn’s lengthy injury timetable in the following tweet:

“Panthers’ HC Frank Reich said CB Jaycee Horn’s hamstring injury is serious enough that he is expected to miss extended time, might need surgery and could land on injured reserve.”

That’s all bad news. However, Darin Gantt, who reports for the Panthers team site, tweeted that Reich is not yet 100% that surgery is required.

Gantt says Reich considers Horn’s setback a “freak thing” and that “you never know” with injuries.

Nothing concrete yet, but the signs certainly aren’t pointing in a good direction for Jaycee Horn. As for his replacements, Gantt reports that Reich likes the other options Carolina has in the secondary but certainly would like to add another piece for depth purposes.

“Reich says they’re likely to add another cornerback (with the open roster spot), but they have confidence in CJ Henderson and Troy Hill,” he tweeted shortly after reporting the initial Reich comments on Horn.

So, look for a fresh face to boost the CB room now that one of the team’s key guys is down at that position group.

Donte Jackson says injury is ‘tough’ for Horn

By Nick Schultz

After the Falcons game, fellow cornerback Donte Jackson discussed Horn’s injury and what it means for the position room as a whole.

“It becomes very tough, becomes very tough man,” Jackson said, via Darin Gantt on Panthers.com. “Just knowing the type of guy he is, and knowing how bad he wants it, how hard he works, and he never does anything wrong, you know what I’m saying?

“He’s always a great professional. He’s always doing everything that he’s supposed to do to be out there.”

Horn only appeared in three games as a rookie in 2021 as he missed time with a fractured foot. Then, last season, a broken wrist kept him out for four games.

Jackson made it clear Horn is a good teammate and makes an impact on others. That’s why he said his battles with injuries are so tough.

“That’s why it sucks, man,” Jackson said. “Because you see a guy like him, who constantly goes overboard to take care of his body, and then he gets told he’s injury prone, and he gets told that he can’t stay healthy and stuff.

“But like behind the scenes, you know, you see how hard he actually works to be out there. And it just sucks because he’ll never have that narrative not on his name. And it just sucks, man. It sucks for him. He’s such a great player, such a great professional, and you just hate to see it. You just hate to see it.”